Cruise travel

[Cynthia42]

Hi. We are about to go on our first cruise. My husband uses ambulatory oxygen. Its needed only to climb lots of stairs or if he needs to walk up hill. How do you arrange oxygen whilst on a cruise holiday please? Lots of confusing information read so far. Thank you in advance.

[Oshgosh]

perhaps the cruise company will give you the appropriate information.

[Cynthia42 in reply to Oshgosh]

Thank you. We’ve asked and await a reply.

[PaulineHM]

Hi Cynthia,

Can I ask does your husband use liquid oxygen ? If he does it could be tricky getting supplies aboard a cruise ship.

If he uses portable concentrator and you are leaving the U.K. to cruise then he will need to either rent a machine or buy one. It is not permitted to take NHS equipment out of the country.

Happy to a seer any more queries you may have.

Go well,

Pauline

[Cynthia42 in reply to PaulineHM]

Hi Pauline. He uses portable oxygen cylinders. You are probably right, we just need to buy a portable concentrator. Thank you so much.

[PaulineHM in reply to Cynthia42]

Hi Cynthia,

This is a good company. I bought from them and travelled widely with it.

Just be aware, if you buy a concentrator now you can only resell back to suppliers and they offer you nothing for it really. Better probably to rent then if there issues they will fix it.

Let’s us know how you get on won’t you ?

Go well,

Pauline

[Brikel]

hi Cynthia

I am in a similar position.

I am also on ambulatory oxygen cylinder’s and would love to go back on a cruise , but the obstacles put in my way deter me. Not least the cost of insurance .

Sometime back I contacted Carnival ( The umbrella organisation for Cunard and P&O) about taking oxygen on board . I was told that since Covid they only allow oxygen concentrators on board

As I have to have continuous flow oxygen the concentrator isn’t any good for me.

I love going on cruises so hope they eventually change their mind , and allow portable oxygen on again.

I hope you do get on your cruise and have a great time

Regards Brian

[OOB_Tigger in reply to Brikel]

Hi Brian, I would love to cruise again but now on 3ltr/min oxygen 24/7. I have a portable oxygen concentrator that delivers that on a continuous flow, it's from my oxygen provider. It lasts about 5hrs however, that obviously wouldn't be enough for all day, so I would need a full sized concentrator.I read the health section on the P&O website, it said they wouldn't take anyone with breathing issues that relied on oxygen. This is all since Covid.

So I'm a bit confused when you say that a concentrator would be allowed but it wouldn't be any use to you. Or have I misunderstood you?

Regards Jackie

[Brikel in reply to OOB_Tigger]

Hi Jackie sorry for the confusion

I was given a POC but it was the “ on demand” type which only worked when I inhaled.

I wasn’t aware that you could get POC on continuous flow . I will have to check with oxygen nurse

it was sometime ago when I made my enquiry obviously things have changed.

Kind regards

Brian

[OOB_Tigger in reply to Brikel]

Hi Brian, Well, I'm only 61 yo, but my brain is obviously rubbish 🤪

I didn't mean continuous flow, the portable is 'on demand'. Don't know what I wrote that for. The larger concentrator is continuous.

When I was first put on oxygen I had a small cylinder to take to work (I was only on 1ltr for a few hours a day), and that was 'on demand'. It was fitted with a conservar. I struggled so much, by the end my lunch hour I was absolutely kn***ered! I had to breath in so hard to make it work I gave up. However, the on demand portable in so easy. Would this not work for you?

Sorry for the confusion

Kind regards

Jackie

[Difficul]

Perhaps there will be sufficient lifts on the ship that he doesn't need to climb stairs.

[PaulineHM]

Apologies, forgot to add the link for the company I mentioned.

healthoxygen.com

[Souielouie]

hope you both have an amazing time 🥰

[OOB_Tigger]

Hi Cynthia, Can I ask which company you are cruising with ? I have previously sailed with P&O but I didn't have oxygen then. Now on it 24/7 and according to their website won't take anyone with oxygen concentrator.

Perhaps because your husband is only on ambulatory oxygen that makes a difference.

Thanks.

Regards Jackie

[Germantara]

Hope everything turns out well and hope you enjoy you're cruise

[watergazer]

I think you need to contact the cruise company as they each have their own rules and regs x